Portable Appliance Testing

[david3103]

I've just been harangued by some spotty-faced kid in a call centre about my 'obligation' to get a sticker on all the plugs in the office.

£99 + VAT for the first 25, then £1.20 each. We have 20 or so, maybe more if you include random phone chargers.

2 questions

 - is it absolutely necessary to have everything tested? We're a very small business, me, one full-time and one part-time employee.

 - if yes, can I do it myself?

[cia260895]

Known as PAT testing yes you do need to get this done,anything that is of portable size need to be tested i:e tv's monitors,computers kettles microwaves etc etc,

this is covered by the HASAW act 1974

If someone was to have an accident whilst using 1 of these appliances(un tested) then your ass would be theres FTW

but saying that on sites it is only enforced by the most up yr ass safety officers

look here for more info

http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=ytff1-yff2&p=pat%20trsting&ei=UTF-8

[Bongo]

A guy I know set up a PAT testing company. He then helpfully managed to blow up several clients computers while testing them. FML!

[AndrewT]

Surely it's cheaper to just get hold of some of the stickers and fill them in yourself?

[kinboshi]

Surely it's cheaper to just get hold of some of the stickers and fill them in yourself?

http://is.gd/vCXi

[david3103]

Surely it's cheaper to just get hold of some of the stickers and fill them in yourself?

http://is.gd/vCXi

anyone want to buy 900 PAT Passed Stickers?

[bhoywonder]

I am a qualified pat tester.n yup you are legally bound to cover not just appliances but all electrics.u know it makes sense.where do u stay?i could do u a turn possibly.

[pokerfan]

The new PAT testing machines save all data on hard drive or disk, it is a legal obligation to get all portable appliances tested. (basically anything with a plug, includes 110 volt shit too)
The sticker serves more as a reminder these days although its unlikely you will ever have to produce the original test results.
Btw if anything fails the test all the tester will do is cut the plug off, they arnt there to mend anything for you.
The price quoted seems all right to me as a mate of mine reckoned he got £10+vat per item!
Was it a video call btw?

[Delboy]

A guy I know set up a PAT testing company. He then helpfully managed to blow up several clients computers while testing them. FML!

PCs/ Laptops are exempt becaus of this

[kinboshi]

Are you actually legally bound to have items PAT tested?  I thought it was enough that they were safe?

Off to check...

[kinboshi]

Interesting:

http://www.thepattester.com/the_law.html

http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/july.htm

From the HSE site (July 2007 - so it might have changed:

Myth: All office equipment must be tested by a qualified electrician every year
July 2007
The reality

No. The law requires employers to assess risks and take appropriate action.

HSE’s advice is that for most office electrical equipment, visual checks for obvious signs of damage and perhaps simple tests by a competent member of staff are quite sufficient.

[Delboy]

Are you actually legally bound to have items PAT tested?  I thought it was enough that they were safe?

Off to check...

Good point!

Its a process you can put in place to ensure your items are safe. Another process would be to renew such items on a regular basis, say, every 2 years or indeed Hard wire everything into the mains so that the recomended testing frequency would be every 5 years!

[pokerfan]

http://www.thepattester.com/the_law.html

Thought it was gospel tbh, seems not. But then they back-track with this gem
"The only way that we can determine whether electrical equipment is safe, well-maintained and suitable for the purpose for which it is being used (the legal requirement), is if it is routinely, formally visually-inspected and instrument-tested ('PAT Tested'). Therefore, PAT Testing is implicit in the need to ensure that such equipment, at the time of inspection and testing at least, is indeed 'safe, well-maintained and suitable for the purpose for which it is being used'.

So its not law to have your gear PAT tested but the only way to ensure its fit for use etc is to get it Pat tested.

[kinboshi]

It seems similar to the situation with fire extinguishers and a fire risk assessment.  There are some legal obligations, but there are also 'guidelines' and it depends on local fire safety officer and what they're like, and what they enforce or not.

[bhoywonder]

Pc,s are not exempt.they are under bs en 60950,but personally the flash test involves applying 3000 volts to the casing of most equipment.this is too much for sensitive equipment,and i refuse to do it.however earth continuity and insulation tests must be carried out.the most ovelooked part of the regs is the user checks.the user or employer must ensure his employees are aware of any risks and to define a schedule of visual checks outwith any technical checks.interestingly the eaw regs states ckearly that there is no need to inspect systems.however they must do all in their power to prevent equipment becoming dangerous.grey area indeed.